WASHINGTON — He played big in the biggest moments of the biggest game of his life when St. John’s desperately needed a stopper before Dylan Darling sent Kansas home.

And now, the stakes are higher, and Rick Pitino will need Zuby Ejiofor to play even bigger in the next biggest game of his life Friday night at Capital One Arena against No. 1 Duke.

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Duke has Cam Boozer, son of Carlos, in the conversation as best player in the country and likely a top-three NBA draft pick. 

St. John’s has Zuby Ejiofor, Big East Player of the Year and Big East Defensive Player of the Year.